Lead PLC Control Technician

Divcon; Hobbs (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Growth opportunities

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401K with employer match

Disability insurance

Flexible PTO

Travel per diem

Job summary

Divcon is seeking an experienced Lead PLC Control Technician to act as the on-site authority for PLC field execution, managing technicians and ensuring readiness for commissioning, SCADA/HMI integration, and turnover. This role collaborates with PLC Engineers, project managers, contractors, vendors, clients, and IT teams to align with design intent and operational needs.

The position requires leading startup activities, reviewing drawings and PLC programs, and ensuring safety and QA standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of hands-on PLC, industrial automation, construction, or building automation experience.
• OSHA 10 certification obtained within the past two (2) years is required.
• Ability to travel to project sites approximately 95%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as direct field supervisor for PLC technicians; assign daily work and monitor execution quality.
• Lead PLC field execution from installation through startup, commissioning, and turnover readiness.
• Review PLC drawings, schematics, I/O schedules, network architecture, and SCADA/HMI requirements for completeness.
• Approve PLC programs, tag databases, alarms, and commissioning scripts before startup.
• Resolve PLC logic errors, sequence conflicts, and field wiring issues.
• Establish field standards for wiring, network readiness, and QA/QC practices.
• Own the issue tracking workflow from logging to closure with evidence.
• Create/approve MOPs, turnover docs, and commissioning templates.
• Coordinate with engineers, PMs, contractors, vendors, and IT for acceptance and readiness.

Skills

PLC supervision

Field leadership

Technical readiness

Written communication

Travel readiness

Tools

Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000

FactoryTalk

Siemens TIA Portal

Schneider Electric systems

EtherNet/IP / Modbus

Job description

The Lead PLC Control Technician serves as the on-site technical authority for PLC field execution, supervising assigned technicians and owning technical readiness for PLC commissioning, SCADA/HMI integration, processor redundancy, industrial networking, documentation quality, safety, and turnover readiness.

This role leads, resolves, coordinates, and owns PLC technical readiness while working with PLC Engineers, project managers, contractors, vendors, clients, and other stakeholders to ensure project execution aligns with design intent and operational requirements.

This position requires regular travel. Per diem, lodging, and travel accommodation are provided in accordance with company policy.

Must be willing to travel 95% of the time including weekends and after-hours.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as direct field supervisor for PLC Control Technicians and Senior PLC Control Technicians assigned to the project; assign daily work, monitor execution quality, and support technician development.
• Lead PLC field execution from installation verification through startup, commissioning, failover testing, retesting, documentation closeout, and turnover readiness.
• Review PLC drawings, electrical schematics, I/O schedules, network architecture, SCADA/HMI requirements, processor redundancy requirements, equipment submittals, controls submittals, and field conditions for constructability and technical completeness.
• Review and approve PLC programs, tag databases, I/O binding/scaling, alarm/trend configuration, communication paths, SCADA/HMI graphics, and commissioning scripts before authorizing startup or functional testing.
• Drive resolution of complex PLC logic errors, sequence conflicts, design-intent deviations, field wiring issues, distributed I/O faults, communication failures, high error rates, gateway issues, redundancy issues, and system performance problems.
• Establish and enforce field standards for PLC-related panel wiring, device verification, network readiness, protocol validation, startup documentation, safety, and QA/QC practices.
• Own the PLC issue tracking workflow by ensuring issues are logged, assigned, corrected, retested, documented, and closed with adequate evidence.
• Create, review, or approve project-specific QC forms, commissioning documentation templates, MOPs for complex or critical activities, failover test records, redlines, as-builts, and turnover documentation packages.
• Coordinate with PLC Engineers, project managers, contractors, vendors, commissioning agents, facility IT teams, and clients to resolve technical requirements, network/firewall access, system acceptance issues, and turnover readiness.
• Represent Divcon's technical position in onsite coordination meetings and support the Project Manager with scheduling, manpower planning, resource coordination, site logistics, and project reporting.
• Enforce safe work practices, lead pre-task safety planning for complex PLC commissioning activities, verify LOTO expectations are followed, and stop work when unsafe conditions are observed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum five (5) years of hands-on PLC, industrial automation, construction, or building automation experience, with demonstrated ability to lead field execution and technical readiness.
• Advanced PLC platform knowledge, including Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000, FactoryTalk tools, Siemens TIA Portal, Schneider Electric systems, or comparable PLC platforms.
• Author/review-level ability to evaluate ladder logic, function block diagrams, structured text, tag databases, AOIs, EtherNet/IP networks, fault diagnostics, I/O binding, alarm configuration, and trend/history configuration.
• Advanced knowledge of industrial communications and integration, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus/IP, Modbus/UDP, BACnet, MQTT, OPC UA, protocol gateways, network segmentation, firewall coordination, and remote access considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise technicians, coordinate with engineering and project management, manage escalation, and communicate complex technical issues clearly in writing and verbally.
• Working knowledge of AEC industry processes and construction documents, including CSI MasterFormat concepts, RFIs, submittals, plans, specifications, controls submittals, and equipment submittals.
• Ability to own redlines, as-builts, QA/QC documentation, commissioning records, MOPs, failover test documentation, issue logs, and turnover readiness.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites as required, approximately 95%.
• OSHA 10 certification obtained within the past two (2) years is required.
• If certification is not current or has not been completed, OSHA 10 training will be provided and must be successfully completed within the first week of employment.

Experience

• Experience leading PLC startup, commissioning, SCADA/HMI integration, industrial networking validation, redundancy/failover testing, and project turnover activities.
• Experience coordinating field activities with PLC Engineers, project managers, contractors, vendors, commissioning agents, IT teams, and clients to resolve technical and operational issues.
• Experience reviewing technical documentation, drawings, specifications, submittals, I/O schedules, network diagrams, PLC programs, commissioning scripts, and issue logs for readiness and quality.
• Experience mentoring technicians, assigning work, reviewing field documentation, managing escalation, and supporting workforce development.
• Experience ensuring compliance with safety policies, quality standards, project requirements, and documented commissioning readiness expectations.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel frequently to job sites by car or plane, up to 95%
• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout job sites for extended periods
• Ability to climb ladders, stairs, and lifts as required
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and work in tight or confined spaces
• Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver equipment and materials up to 50 pounds
• Manual dexterity to handle tools, wiring, and small components
• Ability to work at heights and in varying indoor and outdoor conditions
• Ability to wear and work in personal protective equipment when required (hard hat, vest, safety glasses, gloves, and safety-toed boots)
• Visual keenness to read schematics, labels, and digital displays
• Ability to visually identify and differentiate wires by assigned color
• Ability to hear and respond to alarms, equipment sounds, and verbal instructions
• Capability to safely operate hand and power tools

Benefits & Total Rewards:

• Opportunities for Growth

Hands-on trainingandcareeradvancementin an explodingdata-centerindustry.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Wecover100% ofindividualmedicalpremiumsandhelp offset the cost of family coverage.

• 401Kwith Employer Match

Eligible after 90 days, with company matching to help youinvest in your future.

• Disability Coverage

Bothshort- and long-term disability insuranceprovidedatnocostto our employees.

• FlexiblePTO

Taketime off when you need it, noaccruing time necessary.

• Field-Based Employee Benefits

For eligible field-based roles that require travel, Divcon covers all business travel expenses and provides a per diem, phone allowance, tools, and PPE at no cost. Eligible employees also receive paid training and additional reimbursable business expenses.

Divcon does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Agencies musthave a signed agreement in place prior to submitting any candidate. Unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Divcon, and no fees will be paid.

About Us:

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Divcon delivers fully integrated automation solutions nationwide that optimize performance, energy efficiency, and reliability across HVAC, lighting, power monitoring, and mission-critical systems. Leveraging advanced technologies - including Allen-Bradley PLCs, Ignition SCADA, and Delta DDC systems - we combine deep technical expertise with field-tested execution to deliver precise, scalable, and high-performance solutions.